Airship.



A. Plkocu.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. I914.

Patented Dean 12, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

. @Zw/w/ ATTORNEY A. P- KOCH.

AIRSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28. 1914.

Patented Dec. 12, 1916.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

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specification ct Letterst'atent.

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application filed March 2%, 191a. terlal Ito. aa'aoaa' Be it' known that T, AtrcUs'rns"P;KocH,a

citizen of the United States, and resident of the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and S State of New. ,York,f have invented certain new andu'seful Tmprovements'in Airships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a type of air ship which is a combination between a dirigible and an aeroplane, in that it has an extended body adopted to receive and retain a buoyant gas in sudicient quantities to support all of the dead or permanent weightof the machine and attached thereto a plurality of extended wingswhich, cotiperate with high speed propellers in producing an aeroplane action sufficient to support the weight of the fuel, oils,.and. other commodities together with the weight of the operator and passene gers. By this combination Tbelieve-that it is possible to produce a machine adapted for;

long and continuous trips at exceedingly high speed.

T have also arranged other features of importance and novelty which together with the details of construction and the method of operationwill be fully described as the specification progresses.

The following is what T consider the best means for carrying out this invention.

The accom anyrng drawings form a part of this speci cation, in which- Figure 1 is a bottom plan view and, Fig. 2 is a side elevation.

Similar reference numerals indicate like parts in all the figures where they appear.

Tn the preamble T have set forth that my invention consisted of a body bullt in the of elongated plan adapted to contain a buoyant gas. This body'is indicated at land the upper portion is straight and full gradually tapered toward each end. Another of the principles of my construction is the provisi'on within the outline of the body, of a space sufficient to receive the engines, the aviators,

and passengers together with such commodities as it may be desirable to carry. This room for the engines. So as to obtain a maximum" supporting and gas containing space 'T provide that the body shall be of a peculiar shape. Above the compartments the body of the dirigible in plan is what is termed cigar shaped, the ends being pointed as fully shown in Fig. 1. In elevation, however, the ends of the ody of the dirigible are squared 0d the rear for the accommodation of a steeringrudder 5,. and the forward end for the purpose of providing for the compartments as described.

Tt will be. oted that T have provided two engines hand 7 of the high speed rotary type and .T- sof connect-my engines that they may operate together or independently of each other. Tmmediately over the engines T have arranged three tanks asshown at 8, 9 and 10, tanks 8 and 10 which may be of liberal area, contain the gasoline or other hydrocarbon'qfuell and the intermediate tank 9, which is smaller in. capacity will contain the lubricating oil. I

Secured to'and operated by each engine are the propellers 11 and 12 and although the greater portion of these propellers operate within the outline of the body, T have arranged that the air agitated by the pro pellers shall not be confined and for that purpose T have taperedthat portion of the dirigible body immediately behind the propellers in the manner as indicated at 13 and 14.

Greater supporting planes of my device are over the engine compartment and are shown at 15 and 16. The forward end of each of these planes is capable of an up and down movement to assist in raising the whole device and to obtain this peculiar movement of the wings T pivot each of the wings as shown at 17 and 18 and connect them together by means of a bar, 19. This bar is journa'led in the end of a rod 21 which pivoted to the front end of the body as shown at 20, as by these means T obtain the greatest rigidity. T connect flexible cables or chains one to a rod 21 and the other to a veraround a drum 33 in the ameter and may or may not be hinged at 25 and 26. If hinged, I will provide a means for elevating or depressing the outer edge, 27 and 28 of each of the Wings. These means will consist of a cable 29, connected with each of the Wings and terminating in a lever 30 in the operating chamber. I may provide 2 levers so that the Wings may be operated separately and thus materially assist the rudder in the performance of its duties.

The rudder, 5 is provided with a double tiller rope 32. The ends of each will pass operating chamber, which drum is rotated by the hand wheel 3%. The operation of this rudder is Well understood, though I have found in a ship as large as that of my construction the rudder must be of liberal area.

At and 36 I have shown a landing gear sometimes calleda chassis. This gear may be of any preferred construction but it is my intention that it be constructed of 6 Wheels, 3 'upon each transverse shaft. It is obvious that this landing gear shall be secured to a portion of the body well adapted to withstand the strain of its operation.

In constructing my ship, I prefer to employ ash or hickory Well seasoned for the ribs and keel covering the whole of the'dirigible body with a thin but exceedingly strong three ply veneer, that has been treated in a manner that will make it airtight and impervious to moisture, and although it has been my intention to construct the planes of'the same light and strong wood, I believe that fabric planes may operate as satisfactorily. I have also arranged to employ two rotary engines of about 140 H. P. each, but it will be understood that the size of the machine, the size of the engines and any of the portions of the general construction may be changed at will. It will be also understood that modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

Havingv carefully and fully described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a body oval and tapered in plan,

and oval and blunt in elevation,-said body being adapted to contain a buoyant gas and being shaped to provide a plurality of chamhers for the operating means and the operator, and an upwardly projecting portion over said chambers to provide gas containing space throughout the entire body as herein specified.

2, A combination of a dirigible and aeroplane comprising a body adapted to retain a buoyant gas and having its forward end extending upwardly above the plane of the upper surface of the remainder of the body, pivoted, elevating wings at the forward end of said body and hinged Wings at the rear end, and a rudder all combined for the purpose set forth.

Signed at'th'e city of New York, State of New York, :this' 19th day of March, 1914.

AUGUSTUS PETER KOCH.

Witnesses:

ART UR PHELPS MARK,

LILLIAN C. FRAKER. 

